On May 30, 2011 at approximately 11:34 p.m., patrol officers responded to the 1300 block of Rollins Avenue for a report of sounds of gunfire. Upon arrival, officers found McKelvin, of the 4200 block of Suitland Road, Suitland, Maryland, and Ellis, of the 1900 block of Colette Terrace, District Heights, Maryland, inside of a vehicle with apparent gunshot wounds. Both victims were pronounced dead on the scene. Detectives are working to identify the suspect(s) and establish a motive in this case.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit at (301) 772-4925. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411 TIPS (8477) or text “PGPD plus your message” to CRIMES (274637) on your cell phone or go to http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/police/ and submit a tip online.

Monday, May 30, 2011

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit is investigating the homicide of Edward Jerome Scott, 60, in Chillum, Maryland.

On May 30, 2011 at approximately 8:35 a.m., Patrol Officers responded to the 900 block of Chillum Road to check on the welfare of a unresponsive male. Upon arrival, Patrol Officers found Scott, of the 400 block of Quackenbos Street, N.W. in Washington, D.C., suffering from body trauma. He was pronounced deceased on scene.

Detectives are working to identify the suspect(s) and establish a motive in this case. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit at (301) 772-4925. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411 TIPS (8477) or text “PGPD plus your message” to CRIMES (274637) on your cell phone or go to http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/police/ and submit a tip online.

Prince George’s County, Maryland…District IV Commander, Major James A. Harper and the District IV COPS Office joined community leaders for a “Community Walk” Friday evening in 23rd Parkway corridor of Temple Hills. The “Community Walk” was designed to maintain open dialogue between the community and the police department, and was an opportunity for District command staff to discuss the community’s concerns around crime and neighborhood safety.

District IV COPS officers shared information with resident’s in the Iverson Tower’s apartment complexes about the upcoming “Summer Crime Initiative” as well as handing out information and educating the community on crime prevention and safety tips.

“Our turnout was excellent and it’s a great way to talk directly to citizens about their concerns. It’s always a good opportunity when I can personally meet and greet citizens who are excited about working with us to maintain and promote safety,” said Major James Harper.

For more information, call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Press Information Office at (301) 772-4710.

The Prince George’s County Police Department is working to identify the suspects shown in this surveillance camera photograph, who robbed the Exxon at 7545 Landover Rd. Landover, Md., on 05/29/2011.

Anyone with any information that may assist in this investigation is asked to contact CRIME SOLVERS at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or the Robbery Unit at (301) 772-4905 as soon as possible. Please refer to case number 11-149-2432 Whenever information is given to the Prince Georges County Crime Solvers Line, you never leave your name and a CASH REWARD of up to $1000 is being offered for the tip that leads to the arrest of the suspect involved in this or any other crime.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Prince George’s County, Maryland… In light of Anti- Bullying week, the Prince George’s County Police Department is asking all community members to be active participants in preventing bullying, not only this week, but every day.

Everyone can help prevent bullying by setting good examples for any child they interact with.Remember to avoid rude and abusive behavior and display respect in all of your daily encounters.Be attentive to the children you come in contact with. Provide them with healthy outlets instead of gangs, crime or violence, and always set the example by upholding the law with integrity.

For more information, call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Press Information Office at 301-772-4710.

The Prince George’s County Police Department is working to identify the suspects shown in the above surveillance photographs. On May 25th, 2011, at 1750 hours, the suspects committed an armed robbery at the Cricket Wireless Store located at 4524 St. Barnabas Rd Temple Hills, MD. The Suspects shown are also believed to be involved in a series of similar robberies throughout Prince Georges County.

Anyone with information that may assist in this investigation is asked to call CRIME SOLVERS at
1-866-TIPS (8477) or CID-Robbery Unit at 301-772-4905 as soon as possible. Please refer to case number 11-145-2034. Whenever information is given to the Prince George’s County Crime Solvers Line, you do not have to leave your name. A REWARD of up to $1000.00 is being offered for the tip that leads to the arrest and indictment of the suspects responsible for this robbery.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

If Rich Graves had to pick the precise moment he knew he would become a police officer, it was probably the evening that armed and masked burglars tried to push their way into his Silver Spring home.

They didn’t take anything — Rich held the door shut against them as his wife dialed 919 (hey, she was flustered) — but they left him convinced that there are few jobs more important than protecting the public.

That was in 1985. Last week, 26 years later, Rich answered that call. At age 54, he graduated from the Prince George’s County police academy. He entered the academy after retiring from a 31-year career with the Archdiocese of Washington.

He’s gone from saints to sinners.

“It is unusual,” Rich admitted. “You don’t see too many 54-year-olds. A lot of the guys in the class would ask, ‘Why are you doing this?’ ”

He wasn’t the only “mature” cadet. “The guy who was 49 loved it,” Rich said. “He stayed under the radar. I took all the ‘old’ jokes.”

There’s no age limit to becoming a police officer — as long as you can pass the academic testing and the physical challenges. That wasn’t hard for Rich, who has always worked out.

The academy’s regimen included push-ups, crunches, squats and carrying heavy jugs of water up and down a hill. And like all the cadets, Rich was Tasered and dosed with tear gas and pepper spray.

“It was good, but it was tough,” Rich said of the training. “I will say it was the toughest nine months I’ve been through.”

It all sounds pretty different from his old job doing financial accounting for the Catholic Church. He traded his calculator for a .40-caliber.

When those masked men tried to get into his house, it planted a seed in Rich. “Ever since then, it was like I was very observant,” he said. It seemed like being a police officer was a way to channel that tendency. But with a career underway and a passel of children in the house — he and wife Terry have five — it didn’t seem like a good time for a switch.

When their son Mike joined the Montgomery County Police Department three years ago, it stoked Rich’s commitment to join.

A paper cut is about the most dangerous thing that can happen to an accountant. Not so a police officer. Terry understands the risks.

“She knew it when our son got into it,” Rich said. “Our faith is strong. We pray every day. . . . Obviously, you have to be smart. There is danger with any call you go on.”

After a few months of field training, Rich will be assigned to District 6 in Beltsville. In a few years, he will be able to specialize in some aspect of police work. What about financial crime? I asked.

Maybe, said Rich. “But after 30 years, I wanted a change.”

A family affair

Rich and Mike weren’t the only parent-child pair at Thursday’s graduation. Cpl. Lorretta Williams, a-20-year veteran with the Prince George’s department, watched as her daughter, LaVonne Dickerson, became a newly minted police officer.

It caused some interesting sensations in Cpl. Williams, who remembered her mother’s dismay when she joined the force.

“I saw my mother in me,” said Cpl. Williams, who has a parent’s natural worry about her daughter’s safety. “My mother didn't want me to be a police officer, either. I had to back up and allow [LaVonne] to do what she wanted to do. I really believe she can handle herself.”

Getting the sixth degree

Rich is sort of the mirror image of Al Creveling, whom I wrote about last week. Al was a Prince George’s officer for 28 years before going back to college and earning his degree at age 59.

Milton Minneman also earned a degree earlier this month. Milton is 87. It’s his sixth degree. The first was a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Cooper Union. The latest is a master’s degree in information technology from University of Maryland University College. Among his four other degrees is a PhD in pattern recognition/artificial intelligence.

Milton’s daughter, Jill, told me about his accomplishments. I didn’t have a chance to talk to the graduate himself. He and his wife, Doris, just left on a two-week trip to Russia.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

The Prince George’s County Police Department is working to identify the suspect shown in the above surveillance photographs. On May 24, 2011, at approximately 2130 hours, the suspect committed an armed robbery at Lucky Mart located at 4201 Bladensburg Road, Colmar Manor, Maryland.

Anyone with information that may assist in this investigation is asked to call CRIME SOLVERS at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or the CID-Robbery Unit at 301-772-4905 as soon as possible. Please refer to case number 11-144-2695. Whenever information is given to the Prince George’s County Crime Solvers Line, you do not have to leave your name. A CASH REWARD OF UP TO $1000.00 is being offered for the tip that leads to the arrest and indictment of the suspects responsible for this robbery.

The Prince George’s County Police Department is working to identify the suspects shown in the above surveillance photographs. On May 25, 2011 at approximately 0616 hours, the suspects committed a robbery at the Auth Road Shell located at 5120 Auth Road Suitland, MD.

Anyone with information that may assist in this investigation is asked to call CRIME SOLVERS at

1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or CID-Robbery Unit at 301-772-4905 as soon as possible. Please refer to case number 11-145-0355. Whenever information is given to the Prince George’s County Crime Solvers Line, you do not have to leave your name. A REWARD of up to $1000.00 is being offered for the tip that leads to the arrest and indictment of the suspects responsible for this robbery.

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit is investigating the homicide of Henry Lamont Gilbert, 29, in Bowie, Maryland.

On May 18, 2011 at approximately 3:50 p.m., Patrol Officers responded to the 1300 block of Crain Highway for a report of a commercial armed robbery. Gilbert entered the Bejing Café’ posing as a customer. Once inside he displayed a handgun and demanded money. Gilbert began to assault one of the victims before the other victim came to their assistance. A physical altercation ensued where both Gilbert and one of the victims sustained serious injuries. Gilbert fled the scene on foot. Both victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment. Patrol Officers conducted a canvass of the area and found Gilbert suffering from trauma to his body that he sustained during the altercation. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment. On May 23, 2011, Gilbert of the 1600 block of Marion Street, N.W. in Washington, D.C., succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit at (301) 772-4925. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411 TIPS (8477) or text “PGPD plus your message” to CRIMES (274637) on your cell phone or go to http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/police/ and submit a tip online.

Prince George’s County, Maryland…The Prince George’s County Police Department’s District IV Investigative Section has located critical missing 68 year old Leonard Hardy. Hardy was located yesterday afternoon at Prince George’s Hospital after being transported by ambulance. He has been reunited with his family and appeared to be in good health.

For further information call the Prince George's County Police Department’s Press Information office at (301) 772-4710.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Prince George’s County, Maryland…The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Robbery Unit is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying an individual wanted in connection with an attempt armed robbery of the Dodge City Market in District Heights, Maryland.

On May 21, 2011 at approximately 2:15 p.m., a suspect walked into the Dodge City Market located in the 7400 block of Marlboro Pike. Once inside, the suspect approached a store employee, displayed a handgun, and demanded money from the register. Before the victim could react, the suspect abruptly fled the store in an unknown direction. An area canvass was conducted by officers with negative results.

The suspect is described as a black male with short hair, around 30 years old, 5’9” tall, and weighing approximately 160 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black short sleeved shirt, blue jeans, and armed with black handgun.

Anyone with information about the suspect is urged to call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Robbery Unit at 301-772-4905. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or text “PGPD plus your message” to CRIMES (274637) on your cell phone or go to http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/police/ and submit a tip online. Surveillance camera photos of the suspect are attached.

WASHINGTON - Prince George's County Police are planning for what is usually the busiest time of the year, the summer.
"The state’s attorney’s office has agreed to provide enhanced prosecutorial attention to anybody that we arrest inside these focus areas, so we’re serious about this," said Col. Kevin Davis of Prince George's County Police.
The police summer initiative focuses on five hot spots in the county: Langley Park, Suitland, Hillcrest Heights, Glassmanor and Riverdale.
"The criteria we used were homicides, non-fatal shootings, carjackings and citizen robberies," said Col. Davis.
We talked to people in Riverdale who say crime is clearly an issue here.
"You would have to have your head under the blankets to not realize there are a lot of drugs in the area," said Riverdale resident Amy Lohr.
"I think it would be absolutely wonderful. I think we need to see a lot more police presence out here," says David Lohr.
David said he saw police working a shooting across the street from his apartment complex and he is always calling about gang activity and other crimes.
"We can't leave the house at night. There is only so much we can do. We call them and they’re always busy. There’s excuses. We can’t come. We have other calls. Extra police presence would be ideal," David said.
"I'm not being pessimistic but I think that when something stops working for a criminal, they find a different way of doing it and another route," said Amy.
The objective is to get ahead a crime before it is a big problem.
"We know if we can do well in these five focus areas during the summer of 2011, we can drastically cut violent crime in Prince George's County," said Col. Davis.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Prince George’s County, Maryland…Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III and Prince George’s County Police Interim Chief Mark A. Magaw, joined other County public safety officials last night to host the graduation of fifty-nine (59) graduates from Police Academy Session #118. The ceremony was held at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden Worship Center in Upper Marlboro. The graduating class included fifty-seven (57) new County Police officers and two (2) Prince George’s County Fire/E.M.S. investigators.

“These young men and women represent the future of the Prince George’s County Police Department and the County’s Fire and E.M.S. I take great pleasure in welcoming in these fine young officers into the law enforcement family”, said Interim Chief Mark Magaw.

Awards to Session #118 graduates for outstanding achievement and performance were made to the following graduates:

Prince George’s County, Maryland… The Prince George’s County Police will be teaming up with the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office, Parole and Probation, Department of Juvenile Services, area police departments and other County agencies in a multi-dimensional approach to provide a safe environment to our communities during the approaching summer months.

Areas throughout Prince George’s County will receive extra attention during the summer initiative. The Department will focus on preventing crime and will partner with the SAO to provide arrestees and repeat offenders with “wrap-around services” that will include employment opportunities, counseling, and substance abuse support. The SAO will provide enhanced prosecutorial attention and will also assist with dealing with properties that are causing a visual or criminal nuisance and work to limit the impact of businesses that generate a high number of calls-for-service.

“The Department maintains a strong proactive stance against crime and we are dedicated to protecting our residents. By working closely together, we can achieve great results. We want to demonstrate a united front in our fight against those that chose a life of crime and provide positive alternatives to those that want to turn their lives around,” said Interim Police Chief Mark Magaw.

“We will assist the PGPD by directing our community prosecutors to dedicate a substantial amount of their activities in the focus areas. We will also concentrate on enhancing our prosecutions and parole violations of those repeat offenders, who are the root of many of our crime concerns. I commend the PGPD for their bold action – an action which will continue to decrease crime levels to the lowest in two generations,” said Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks.

For further information, contact the Prince George’s County Press Information Office at (301) 772-4710.

PG F

WANTED

FOR COMMERCIAL ARMED ROBBERY

Prince George’s County Police Department

The Prince George’s County Police Department is working to identify the suspects shown in the above surveillance photographs. On May 19, 2011 at approximately 1836 hours, the suspects committed an armed robbery at the Cricket Wireless store located at 9205 Baltimore Avenue College Park, MD.

Anyone with information that may assist in this investigation is asked to call CRIME SOLVERS at

1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or CID-Robbery Unit at 301-772-4905 as soon as possible. Please refer to case number 11-139-2167. Whenever information is given to the Prince George’s County Crime Solvers Line, you do not have to leave your name. A REWARD of up to $1000.00 is being offered for the tip that leads to the arrest and indictment of the suspects responsible for this robbery.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

On May 18, 2011 members of the Special Operations Division, Canine Section competed in the Virginia Canine Association Iron Dog Competition. The competition consisted of several events which included: Suspect Apprehension, Muzzle Work, Article Search, Drug Detection, Agility and Gun Battle with Cover and Concealment. There were 45 competitors and 10 three man teams. The results were as follows:

Pfc. Mike Amorino #2798 paired with two Howard County handlers – 1st Place team

Prince George’s County, Maryland…The Prince George’s County Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a critical missing male identified as 28-year-old Ali Osman Khadar. He was last seen April 26, 2011 at approximately 12:00 p.m. in the 3700 block of 38th Avenue in Cottage City and has not been seen or heard from since. Khadar may be traveling to Pennsylvania in a 1999 maroon Ford Escort with Maryland tag 9MD6697.

Khadar is a black male with a dark complexion. He is approximately 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 pounds with black hair. He was last seen wearing blue jeans with designs on back pockets, a t-shirt and shoes. Khadar suffers from Diabetes and is in need of his medication.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Ali Osman Khadar is asked to call the Prince George's County Police Department’s District I Investigative Section at (301) 699-2601.

Prince George’s County, Maryland… The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Special Investigative Response Team is investigating a police involved shooting that occurred in Clinton, Maryland.

On May 18, 2011 at approximately 7:50 a.m., patrol officers responded to the 12300 block of Windbrook Drive for an animal bite report. Upon arrival, patrol officers were informed that the children were boarding the school bus when the dog got on the bus behind them. Once on the bus, the dog attacked and injured four children before chasing another child off of the school bus.

Police Officer First Class Philchrist Tossou, a four year veteran of the department, attempted to gain control of the dog but was unsuccessful. To prevent further injury and the potential of other children being maimed, Tossou was forced to discharge his service weapon at the dog ultimately destroying it. The injured children were transported to a local hospital where they were treated for minor bites and bruises. Patrol officers remained on scene to conduct a neighborhood canvass in an attempt to locate the owner but were unsuccessful.

Anyone with additional information about this case is asked to call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Special Investigative Response Team at (301) 856-2660.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

The Prince George’s County Police Department is working to identify the suspects shown in the above surveillance photographs. On May 18, 2011 at approximately 0857 hours, the suspects committed an armed robbery at the “IHOP” located at 4400 Saint Barnabas Road, Marlow Heights, MD 20748.

Anyone with information that may assist in this investigation is asked to call CRIME SOLVERS at 1-866-TIPS (8477) or CID-Robbery Unit at 301-772-4905 as soon as possible. Please refer to case number 11-138-0647. Whenever information is given to the Prince George’s County Crime Solvers Line, you do not have to leave your name. A CASH REWARD OF UP TO $1000.00is being offered for the tip that leads to the arrest and indictment of the suspects responsible for this robbery.